Hair cells, called cilia, normally move mucus along the respiratory tract to keep the area clean and moist. If these cilia are damaged during an infection, the body may use coughing to move this mucus along – even after the invading germs are gone. Thus, the cough sensors tend to be hypersensitive following an infection.

Whenever a child has a recurrent or persistent cough, it is important to consider a diagnosis of asthma. Many children with asthma have cough as their primary symptom. The diagnosis is often delayed in these children, and they fail to get the preventive medicines they need.

Other important causes of chronic cough include allergies, inhaled foreign bodies, GE reflux, pertussis, chronic sinusitis, tuberculosis, inhaled irritants (smoke or fumes), pressure on the respiratory tract from the outside (perhaps from lymph nodes or blood vessels), or habit.

Occasionally a cough can be caused by swimmer’s ear, which can trigger cough sensors in the ear canal.

Who gets a cough?

All children will cough occasionally as a part of their bodies’ way to fight infections and irritation. Nevertheless, cough is a symptom that deserves attention. While sneezing in a newborn is usually normal, a cough usually indicates that something needs to be addressed. In older children as well, the cough is a sign of irritation and it is important to discover the cause.

What are the symptoms of a cough?

The sound of the cough often depends on the location of the irritation. If an infection is in the voice box (croup), the cough may sound like a barking seal. If it is deeper in the bronchi (bronchitis), the cough will sound deeper as well.

A chronic nighttime cough might signal asthma, nasal allergies, or a chronic sinus infection. A habit cough disappears with sleep. A cough that is at its worst when your child first awakens might signal bronchitis.

The cystic fibrosis cough is also usually worse in the morning. It tends to be productive, and may come in spasms.

Is a cough contagious?

People are a little more likely to cough when they hear someone else cough, but a cough is not truly contagious. The infection that causes a cough is often contagious, however.

How long does a cough last?

The length of a cough depends on the underlying cause. Any cough that lasts for weeks or months should be considered a persistent or chronic cough, and evaluated accordingly.

How is a cough diagnosed?

The underlying cause of a cough may often be diagnosed based on the history and physical exam. Sometimes additional tests, such as a chest x-ray, TB skin test, blood test, pulmonary function test, or even bronchoscopy, may be needed.

Diagnosing the cough is very important if the cough makes it difficult for your child to breathe, if you suspect your child may have inhaled some food or other object, if there are intense spasms of coughing, if your child otherwise seems ill (as with a high fever), or if the cough is not improved within two weeks.

How is a cough treated?

Identifying and treating the underlying cause is they key. If the cough is from reflux, the reflux should be treated. If it is from tuberculosis, TB meds are needed.

Asthma coughs should be treated with asthma medicines, not with cough suppressants.

Although over-the-counter cough suppressants are readily available, they are not always helpful – even if the cause is not asthma — and even if they seem to work. The cough is often helping your child clear mucous and debris from the airways and lungs. Sleep may help your child more, though, so discuss treating the cough at night with your child’s pediatrician. Elevating the head at night may help, and sometimes a cough syrup at night is a real boon. However, over-the-counter cough suppressants should not be used in children less than 6 years of age without discussing their use with your pediatrician. Studies have not proven that over-the-counter cough suppressants are effective in this age group, and the potential for serious side effects are greater in young children.

Extra fluids to drink, and a humidifier for the room will help many kinds of cough.

There is some evidence that two teaspoons of dark honey (such as buckwheat honey) may be effective for nighttime cough, and it is safe to use for children over 12 months of age (Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, 2007 Dec; 161(12):1140-46).

Dr. Greene is the founder of DrGreene.com (cited by the AMA as “the pioneer physician Web site”), a practicing pediatrician, father of four, & author of Raising Baby Green & Feeding Baby Green. He appears frequently in the media including such venues as the The New York Times, the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, & the Dr. Oz Show.

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